example--but there may not be enough paper in the world to print all the
inappropriate uses of a commercial poison.

What I was thinking about when I said they didn't include everything I'd
want to know is that I'd like to see info on what beneficial insects it
affects. Diazinon kills everything in the area; Merit kills some but not so
bad - as I understand it. Since I can't know these residual effects, I'm
more cautious about using. This is one reason I like contact killers like
Pyrethrum or even Triazicide. I spray it on the bug I don't want and don't
worry about those beneficials that might come along later on. Or am I just
deluding myself?

I think it's all there on the "label," which is usually a booklet. It
tells you what it's approved for use on, for which pests, and often how
strong to mix it and how many applications are needed for any particular
pest. If it can be used on food crops, it will tell you how many days
before harvest to stop using it. You're right, it won't tell you what not
to use it for--"do not add to cat's bath," for example--but there may not
be enough paper in the world to print all the inappropriate uses of a
commercial poison.

I'll give you this much, though. The one systemic I have (haven't used
in ages and should throw out) says it is for use on ornamentals. It
does not say not to use on food crops. I think it should. However, a
big gripe I have about all these chemicals is that they only tell you
what they absolutely must, not necessarily what you need to know. And
anything on the negative side is put in 4 point print.

I seem to remember that when I took my pesticides class years ago and
also when we studied pesticides in MG training that you were supposed to
be able to find icons on pesticide containers that illustrated the level
of toxicity. The worst was the skull and crossbones. However, I don't
see these on any of my current containers.

In the end, I stick to my guns about researching (3 minutes on google)
any product for any use when you know nothing about it.

Oh- I don't know. The labels on most of these chemicals and the
commercials on TV are presented is such a way to fool less savvy
people. It's not like any of them actually say "poison" on them after
all. They are all colorful and going to help you have the "best" lawn
or garden ever. I think most people assume they are OK, just like most
people use household chemicals without giving it a second thought.
It's just how most of us were raised quite frankly. Those of us who
are organic (both in the garden and/or in the house) are the exception,
not the rule.

Theresa

Kitty wrote:

When I was a new gardener, I read more of the label than I do now. If
you're new at anything, you need to educate yourself. Even seasoned
gardeners make mistakes. But the person who made this mistake will
make the same mistake in all areas of life. He's the guy that doesn't
read the schematic until he's done and finds 6 extra pieces leftover.
He's the guy that won't aks for directions. He's the guy that knows
that "An Inconvenient Truth" is a load of crap without seeing it.
He's the guy who says "Balloon?" when it comes time to pay that big
chunk on the great mortgage deal he got. He's the guy who already
knows it all.

My question would be- is this a new or seasoned
gardener.
I made tons of mistakes in the beginning, heck I still
do...
Donna
--- Kitty <kmrsy@comcast.net> wrote:

Some people are just idiots. The word "systemic"
couldn't have just been in
the fine print, it had to be right there in the name
or as a subtitle sort
of thing. And aphids - FCOL! - something simple
enough to deal with.
Sorry, but I think he got what he deserved.
Kitty
neIN, Zone 5
----- Original Message ----- From: "SueNY" <sue.nyc@att.net>
To: <GARDENS@LSV.UKY.EDU>
Cc: <gardenchat@hort.net>
Sent: Saturday, July 08, 2006 6:53 PM
Subject: [CHAT] OUCH!
> I just read a post on another gardening board.
The person had a problem
> with aphids in their garden and went to Home Depot
and bought some spray
> and
> doused the garden. The problem? The spray was
Ortho Systemic Insect
> Killer!
> He didn't bother to read the label until AFTER
he'd sprayed. Now he wants
> to
> know how to save his veggies. When it was
explained to him that he'd just
> made all his veggies poisonous, he had a fit..
Poor guy!
>
> Sue(6B)
>
>